This fall our parish will participate in the Parish Transformation Initiative. It is a 12-week program that focuses on helping parishes see where they are now, what their mission is, and what they need to do to carry out that mission.

During the Parish Transformation process, we will evaluate how we are living out Christ’s mission through our parish community in today’s world. Here is a brief preview of the topics and questions we will reflect upon:

“As the father has sent me, so I send you.” – John 20:21

What does it mean to state that mission is at the heart of parish life?

“The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searchingfor fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price,he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.”– Matthew 13:45-46

What are our “Pearls of Great Price”? In other words, what is special about our parish that we should celebrate and build upon?

What is our parish history and current situation? Who are we as a parish? What is important to us? What do we appear to value the most?

How are we living out the 7 “Building Blocks for Mission”? I will explain more about each Building Block in future weeks, but the 7 Building Blocks are: Evangelization, Catechesis, Prayer and Worship, Communion, Missionary Spirit, Call to Holiness and Spiritual Stewardship.

After these reflections, we will articulate a “Mission Narrative”. This Mission Narrative does not replace our mission statement (found on the bottom of the front cover of the parish bulletin, The Guide). Rather it is meant to articulate who we are as a parish, what we value and what gives us value as a parish, what inspires us, and how we are being called to live out Christ’s mission in our community. This will lay the foundation for developing a concrete action plan of how to move forward as an even more dynamic Catholic community.

We will then break into smaller groups to develop specific plans for Mission, Finance and School.

The final product of our efforts will be a plan that articulates how we aspire to live out Christ’s mission more fully through our parish and how we plan to support this mission financially.

We invite you to honor the Virgin Mary at special Masses for the Assumption of the BVM.

Assumptionof the BlessedVirgin Mary(A Holy Day ofObligation)

Thursday,August 15

8:30 a.m. Massin English

7 p.m. Massin English and Spanish

Asunciónde la SantísimaVirgen María(Un Día dePrecepto)

Jueves,15 de agosto

Misa de las 8:30 a.m.en inglésMisa de las 7 p.m.en inglés y español

ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARYThis Thursday, August 15, is the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Please join us for the 8:30 a.m. weekday Mass in English or a special 7 p.m. Mass in English and Spanish, and remember the entry of Mary — body and soul — into eternal life.

Parents, consider bringing your family to Mass or marking this feast in some other way. Marian feasts are a great time for parents to talk with their children about how important mothers are, to us and to Jesus. Teach your children a Marian prayer like the Hail Mary or Memorare. Place flowers in front of an image of Mary at church or in your home. Look at the stained glass windows with scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary in our church. Make a small offering and light a vigil candle (fireless, safe and fun for all ages!) at church in honor of a deceased grandmother or other relative, asking Mary to pray for her and watch over her loved ones.

“Parish Transformation”BUILDING ON 100 YEARS OF SHARING AND CARINGThis fall our parish will participate in the Parish Transformation Initiative. It is a 12-week program that focuses on helping parishes see where they are now, what their mission is, and what they need to do to carry out that mission.

Why is our parish participating in Parish Transformation? As the world around us changes, and as we change as people, it is healthy to step back and evaluate how we are living out the mission of Christ through our parish. This is what we will do through Parish Transformation. I am confident that our reflections and discussions will affirm who we are and much of what we are doing as a parish. However, we may find that a fresh look will highlight areas of need that challenge us to try new ideas and approaches. Our goal in this undertaking will be to celebrate the gift that is our parish community, while trying to make our parish community even more vibrant and effective in living the Gospel.

How will we do this? Because we will be reflecting on how our parish is living out the mission of Christ in our community, I want us to think of this process as an extended retreat. We need to enter into this process with openness to where the Holy Spirit is leading us to go. The final product of the Parish Transformation process will be a strategic plan that includes specific actions, goals and timelines that we will want to accomplish. However, it is important that we remember this is not meant to be simply a corporate planning process. This is an opportunity for us to grow spiritually, both individually and as a parish, and to take the next step in our collective faith journey.